German healthcare workers strike over pay and benefits as contract talks with the government continue. Negotiations resume next week.

I'mHealthcare workers at more than 200 facilities across Germany went on strike on Thursday, with an estimated 800 workers in Berlin alone participating in the protest.

The single-day "warning strike" took place during the second round of contract negotiations between the Verdi trade union and both federal and local governments. The contract in question covers approximately 2.5 million public sector workers, including those in healthcare, transportation, and firefighting.

The Verdi trade union is demanding an 8% salary increase, higher bonuses, and additional paid vacation days for workers. However, the VKA municipal employers' associations have rejected these demands, arguing that they are financially unsustainable. The VKA claims that meeting these demands would lead to an 11% rise in costs for municipalities, amounting to an annual financial burden of approximately €15 billion ($16 billion).

Niklas Benrath, a representative of the VKA, stated that shutting down critical services primarily harms citizens. He emphasized that the associations are seeking a "sustainable solution" to the dispute rather than implementing measures that could negatively impact municipal budgets.

As tensions remain high, both parties are preparing for the next round of negotiations. The third round of talks is scheduled to take place in Potsdam, just outside Berlin, next week.